Hand-held medical imaging system with dedicated power source devices and associated apparatuses and methods

ABSTRACT

A portable ultrasound system having dedicated power source devices is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a portable ultrasound system can include transducer electronics and a base unit having base-unit electronics configured to receive user input and to operate the transducer electronics to perform ultrasound scanning based on the user input. The portable ultrasound system further includes a first power source device configured to power the transducer electronics and a second power source device configured to power the base-unit electronics without powering the transducer electronics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/256,731 filed Apr. 18, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,996, which ishereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed technology is related to medical imaging systems, and, inparticular, some embodiments are related to portable ultrasound deviceshaving a compact form factor and a user interface that facilitateshand-held operation.

BACKGROUND

Portable ultrasound imaging devices are used by anesthesiologists,emergency and critical care personnel, and other medical professionals.A portable ultrasound device can include a clamshell-type base unithaving a handle for carrying the base unit. The base unit can fold opento a display and a keypad, and a user can connect an ultrasoundtransducer wand to the base unit to acquire and view ultrasound imageson the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric top view, and FIG. 1B is a partially-explodedbottom view of a portable ultrasound imaging system configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of various electronic componentsof a portable ultrasound system configured in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3E show a graphical user interface presented at a touchscreenof a portable ultrasound system in accordance with several embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is diagram showing a graphical user interface of a portableultrasound system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for powering a portableultrasound system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes various types of hand-held imagingsystems and associated apparatuses and methods. Certain details are setforth in the following description and FIGS. 1A-5 to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. Other detailsdescribing well-known structures and systems often associated withultrasound systems, however, are not set forth below to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Many of the details and features shown in the Figures are merelyillustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly,other embodiments can have other details and features without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skillin the art will understand that further embodiments can be practicedwithout several of the details described below. Furthermore, variousembodiments of the disclosure can include structures other than thoseillustrated in the Figures and are expressly not limited to thestructures shown in the Figures. Moreover, the various elements andfeatures illustrated in the Figures may not be drawn to scale.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or atleast generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of anyparticular element, the most significant digit or digits of anyreference number refer to the Figure in which that element is firstintroduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussedwith reference to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1A is an isometric top view, and FIG. 1B is a partially-explodedbottom view of a portable ultrasound imaging system 100 (“portablesystem 100”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. Referring to FIG. 1A, the portable system 100 includes anultrasound transducer device or a transducer wand 102 operably coupledto a hand-held base unit 110 (“base unit 110) by a signal cable 105. Thesignal cable 105 has a first end 101 a and a second end 101 b connectedbetween a wand port 111 of the base unit 110 and a proximal end portion103 a of the transducer wand 102. In some embodiments, the signal cable105 can include a connector or plug at the second end 101 b (not shown)configured to removably couple the signal cable 105 to the transducerwand 102.

The transducer wand 102 includes a housing 104 (e.g., a molded plastichousing) extending from the proximal end portion 103 a to a distal endportion 103 b. The housing 104 includes a scan head region 106 thatencloses a transducer array (not shown) within the housing 104 towardthe distal end portion 103 b. In some embodiments, the transducer wand102 can include one or more buttons, triggers, or other input devices(not shown) configured, for example, to toggle power on or off, put theportable system 100 in a standby state, or to perform other operations.In other embodiments, the transducer wand 102 can include, for example,light-emitting elements that visually indicate an operational state ofthe transducer wand 102, a housing having a different shape and/or size,and/or other configurations or features.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base unit 110 includes a casing 112(e.g., a plastic and/or metallic casing) and a touchscreen display 114(“touchscreen 114”) attached to the casing 112. The touchscreen 114 caninclude a touchscreen surface 118 having transparent electrodes (e.g.,indium tin oxide electrodes; not shown) in a capacitive configurationfor sensing skin or stylus contact with the touchscreen surface 118. Inanother embodiment, the touchscreen surface 118 can include electrodesin a resistive configuration configured to sense pressure contact(rather than skin contact). In one aspect of this embodiment, aresistive configuration can enable a user to operate the touchscreen 114with a gloved hand (e.g., a latex-gloved hand). The base unit 110 canalso include user controls 113 a and input/output (I/O) ports 113 b atan outer edge of the base unit 110. The controls 113 a can include, forexample, buttons, knobs, switches, etc. The I/O ports 113 b can include,for example, audio, universal serial bus (USB), high-definitionmultimedia interface (HDMI) ports), etc.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the base unit 110 can further include an internalcavity that defines a battery compartment containing a removable battery122 (e.g., a rechargeable battery), which is covered by a removablebattery cover 123. As further shown in FIG. 1B, the base unit 110 canalso include cut-out sections 126-128 (e.g., apertures) for a camera, amicrophone, and a speaker, respectively.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of various electronic componentsof the portable system 100 configured in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure. Referring first to FIG. 2A, the portable system 100includes transducer electronics 230 at the transducer wand 102 (FIG. 1A)and base-unit electronics 240 at the base unit 110 (FIG. 1A). Thetransducer electronics 230 can drive a transducer array 232, such as anarray of microelectromechanical transducer elements, located at the scanhead region 106 (FIG. 1A). The transducer electronics 230 can alsoinclude one or more driver circuits 233 configured to operate thetransducer array 232. The driver circuits 233 can include, for example,waveform generators 235, amplifiers 236, analog to digital converts(ADCs) 238, and other ultrasound signal processing components (e.g., aCPU, controller, transmit/receive beam former circuitry, etc.). In someembodiments, at least a portion of the driver circuits 233 can belocated at the base unit 110.

The base-unit electronics 240 include a CPU 242, input/out devices 243,and communication components 245. The CPU 242 includes a memory 248 anda programmable processor 249 configured to execute instructions in thememory 248 in order to perform various processes, logic flows, androutines. The input/out devices 243 can include, for example, thetouchscreen 114, a camera 226, a microphone 227, and/or a speaker 228.The communication components 245 can include, for example, signal busescoupled to the wand port 111, the input controls 113 a, thecommunication ports 113 b, and the touchscreen 114. In severalembodiments, the communication components 245 can further include anetwork adaptor, a wireless transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi or cellulartransceiver), or other suitable components for communication over theInternet, a computer network, and/or a wireless network.

In operation, the driver circuits 233 can operate the transducer array232 to produce and steer an acoustic signal toward a target region ofinterest. The base-unit electronics 240, in turn, can drive the drivercircuits 233 based on user input. For example, as described in greaterdetail below, the user can provide input by operating various graphicalcontrols presented at the touchscreen 114. The driver circuits 233 canalso produce information based on the acoustic signals returned to thetransducer array 232, which the base-unit electronics 240 uses todisplay ultrasound images on the touchscreen 114 as the information isacquired.

As best seen in FIG. 2B, the transducer electronics 230 are powered by afirst dedicated power source device, or first battery 254, and thebase-unit electronics 240 are powered by a second dedicated power sourcedevice, or second battery 256. In the illustrated embodiment, both thefirst and second batteries 254 and 256 are located at the base unit 110.The first battery 254 can include, for example, a removable battery(e.g., the battery 122 of FIG. 1B), and the second battery 256 caninclude, for example, an internal battery. In one embodiment, theinternal battery can be integrally coupled to the base-unit electronics240. For example, a hardwire connection (not shown) can permanently orsemi-permanently couple the internal battery with the base-unitelectronics 240 such that the user cannot readily remove the internalbattery from the base unit 110. In several embodiments, a capacitor canbe used in lieu of the internal battery. As further shown in FIG. 2B,the processor 249 can be operably coupled to each of the batteries 254and 256. For example, the processor 249 can communicate with anintermediary circuit (not shown) that detects charge level. As describedin greater detail below, the processor 249 can also be coupled to aswitch or switching circuit 258 that can connect the first and secondbatteries 254 and 256 to one another for charging the second battery 256with the first battery 254.

In contrast to the portable system 100, conventional portable ultrasoundsystems do not employ multiple dedicated power sources. Rather, all ofthe electronics, including the transducer electronics, receive powerfrom the same battery or same group of batteries. One challenge withthis configuration is that the transducer electronics consume asubstantial amount of battery power. If the batteries become fullydepleted during an ultrasound scan, the portable system will shut down.In these scenarios, the user can lose data acquired from the ultrasoundscan. Also, to continue ultrasound scanning, the user must recharge orreplace the batteries, reboot the system, and then re-enter the scanningparameters before then can continue scan. This is not only aninconvenience, but it can create delays during patient examinations. Incritical care situations, where time can be of the essence, a delay ofeven several seconds can be substantial. In addition, in many portablesystems, a user can use the system not only to scan, but also to reviewultrasound images acquired during a prior scanning session. For example,the user can review the images for establishing a particular diagnosis.However, if the batteries are depleted of charge, users can beinconvenienced because they must find new batteries or find a place atwhich they can plug the system in for recharging.

Embodiments of portable ultrasound systems configured in accordance withthe various embodiments of the disclosure, however, address these andother limitations of conventional portable ultrasound systems. In oneembodiment, the base-unit electronics 240 are configured to temporarilysuspend an ultrasound scan when it detects that the battery life of thefirst battery 254 is low. When the charge in the first battery 254 isrestored (e.g., when the first battery is replaced), the base-unitelectronics 240 can immediately resume the ultrasound scan withouthaving to reboot the base unit and without losing data. In oneembodiment, the stored data can include the scanning parameters (e.g.,gain, scan depth, frame rate, etc.) selected by the user beforeultrasound scanning was suspended. In another aspect of this embodiment,when ultrasound scanning is suspended, the second battery 256 continuesto power the other components of the base unit 110. As such, thebase-unit electronics 240 still allow a user to view acquired imagesstored on the base unit 110 and/or carry out other functions. Forexample, in one embodiment, the user can still operate the base unit 110to place or overlay a graphical marker on an acquired image. In anotherembodiment, the user can still operate the base unit 110 to use an emailapplication, web browser, or other application provided by the base unit110.

FIGS. 3A-3E show a graphical user interface 360 presented at thetouchscreen 114 (FIG. 1A) in various display states in accordance withseveral embodiments of the disclosure. Referring first to FIG. 3A, thegraphical user interface 360 includes an active image area 362containing an ultrasound image, a status bar 365 (indicating time,wireless signal strength, etc.), and a control area 368. As shown, thestatus bar 365 indicates that the system is in a live scan mode and theactive image area indicates that the transducer electronics 240 (FIG.2A) are acquiring ultrasound information using a gain value of 60 dB anda scan depth of 3 cm (as indicated on the active image area 362). Inaddition, the active image area 362 displays ultrasound images as theprocessor processes the ultrasound information. As further shown in FIG.3A, the status bar 365 contains a first battery icon 364 indicative ofthe remaining charge time of the first battery 254 (0 hours and 7minutes in FIG. 3A) and a second battery icon 366 indicative of theremaining charge time of the second battery 256 (3 hours and 0 minutesin FIG. 3A).

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3A, the control area 368 includesa number of touch-selectable controls, such as a thumbwheel 370 and softbuttons 372 located on the thumbwheel 370, and soft buttons 373 locatedoff of the thumbwheel 370. In operation, the touch-selectable featuresenable users to control and adjust various scanning parameters of theultrasound scan. For example, to initiate an ultrasound scan, a user canselect the soft button labeled “Scan.” To control the gain or scan depthparameters, the user can select soft buttons labeled “Gain” or “Depth,”respectively. To change the scan mode to color power Doppler (CPD) mode,the user can select a soft button labeled “Color.” In one embodiment,the control area 368 can include touch-selectable controls described,for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/256,759, filed Apr.18, 2014, titled “Hand-Held Medical Imaging System with Thumb Controllerand Associated Apparatuses and Methods,” incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference. In another embodiment, the control area 368includes touch-selectable features that do not modify ultrasoundscanning parameters. For example, the user can select the “Marker” softbutton to position a graphical marker on the ultrasound image.

FIG. 3B shows the graphical user interface 360 in a configuration inwhich the user has selected the “Gain” button and the processor hasdisplayed a slider feature 375 adjacent the thumbwheel 370. As shown ,the user has operated the slider feature 374 (as shown by the arrow F)to decrease the gain from 60 dB to 35 dB. Also, the lifetime of thefirst and second batteries has decreased relative to the batterylifetimes shown in FIG. 3A (i.e., to 0 hours and 6 minutes for the firstbattery 254, and to 2 hours and 59 minutes for the second battery 256).

FIG. 3C shows the graphical user interface 360 in a configuration inwhich the user has selected the “Depth” button and the user has operatedthe slider feature 375 (as shown by the arrow H) to increase the scandepth from 3 cm to 7 cm. At the stage of FIG. 3C, the battery life ofthe first and second batteries 254 and 256 has further decreasedrelative to the battery lifetimes shown in FIG. 3B (i.e., to 0 hours 5minutes for the first battery 254, and 2 hours and 58 minutes for thesecond battery 256). Also, an “X” is superimposed on the first batteryicon 364 to indicated that the first battery 254 is at a the criticalthreshold level. For example, the threshold can correspond to a certainpercentage of remaining charge relative to the overall charge capacityof the first battery 254 (e.g., about 2%, about 5%, or about 10% of thecharge capacity). In several embodiments, the critical level cancorrespond to a threshold set by the manufacture and/or a thresholdsetting configured by the user of the device.

FIG. 3D shows the graphical user interface 360 in a configuration inwhich the processor has suspended the live scan in response to detectingthat the first battery 254 has a remaining lifetime of less than 5minutes. As shown, the processor has also disabled or deactivated the“Scan” soft button as well as the soft buttons on the thumbwheel 370used to control the ultrasound scanning parameters (i.e., “Gain,”“Depth,” and “Color,” but not “Marker”). In one aspect of thisembodiment, other controls on the control area 368 can remain enabled.For example, the user can still select the “Images” soft button to viewultrasound images stored in the memory. Also, the user can select the“TOOLS” soft button to implement a graphical tool, such as a calipertool or a graphical marker. In some embodiments, the user can selectvarious graphical tools and other control features described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/256,744, filed Apr. 18, 2014 and titled“Hand-Held Medical Imaging System with Improved User Interface forDeploying On-Screen Graphical Tools and Associated Apparatuses andMethods,” incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In anotherembodiment described in greater detail below, the user can select the“HOME” soft button to access another application or program (e.g., anemail application).

FIG. 3E shows the graphical user interface 360 in a configuration inwhich the user has replaced or recharged the first battery 254. Asshown, the first battery icon 364 indicates that the first battery 254is at a full charge level and has a lifetime of 3 hours and 0 minutes.In addition, the scanning session has been resumed, with the gain anddepth parameters remaining at 35 dB and 7 cm, respectively. Also, andthe thumbwheel 370 and the scan-related soft buttons have been restoredor reactivated. In some embodiments, the charged or replaced firstbattery 254 can replenish the charge (e.g., top off) the charge of thesecond battery 256. In one embodiment, the first battery 254 canreplenish the charge of the second battery 256 so long as the firstbattery 254 is above a certain charge level (e.g.,. 95% charge, 75%charge, 50% charge). For example, the processor can open and close theswitch 258 (FIG. 2B) based on the charge level of the first battery 254.One advantage of this feature is that the user may only have to beconcerned about recharging or replacing the first battery 254 since itautomatically recharges the second battery 256. In the illustratedembodiment, the status bar 365 contains a charge indicator that canindicate that the first battery 254 is charging the second battery 256.

FIG. 4 is diagram showing the graphical user interface 360 displaying ahome screen in the active image area 362 in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the user can access thehome screen by selecting the “HOME” soft button shown in the graphicaluser interface of FIGS. 3A-3E. In this display state, the base unit 110can operate in a manner similar to a smart phone, a personal digitalassistant, or other similar device. When operating the base unit 110 inthis manner, the user can disconnect the transducer wand 102. Inaddition, the user can remove the first battery 254 to reduce the weightof the base unit 110 and to thereby make it even more portable.

As shown, the processor can present a number of icons in the activeimage area 362. The icons can correspond, for example, to a program(e.g., an application), a folder, a file, etc. In use, a user can useselect these icons to access e-mail, documents, images, video, and/orInternet services; participate in a video session; and/or communicate(e.g., wirelessly communicate) with a remote computing device (e.g.,another user device, a remote server, etc.). For example, in someembodiments the user can connect to a secure medical server from thehome screen, e.g., a digital imaging and communications in medicine(DICOM) server. The DICOM server can allow the user to access, update,or otherwise interact with a patient's medical record, such as to appendan ultrasound image or clip to a patient's medical record. The base unit110 can also support other applications, such as pulse oximetry,electrocardiography (EKG), video intubation.

In another aspect of this embodiment, a user can access the home screento initiate a remote session (e.g., a video session) with a remoteparty, such as a colleague (e.g., a doctor or clinician at a differenthospital), a technician or support person (e.g., an instructor at aremote learning facility), or other remote individual. In oneembodiment, the user and the remote party can simultaneously viewultrasound images (frozen or live) on the active image area 462. Forexample, the remote party can help assess or interpret the ultrasoundimage. In another embodiment, the user can employ the camera 226 (FIG.2A) to provide video feedback to the remote party for training orcoaching purposes. For example, the remote party can remotely observethe user operating the transducer wand 102 (FIG. 1A) to coach the useron proper use or positioning of the transducer wand 102.

In some embodiments, the processor can display ultrasound and otherimages on a remote display, such as a large-screen monitor, via agraphical remote control displayed at the control area 368 and/or theactive image area 362. For example, the processor can establish awireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) with a remote display thatallows the base unit 110 to transmit the ultrasound image to the remotedisplay. In several of these embodiments, the processor can present agraphical remote or other controller that allows the user to navigate orotherwise manipulate the image on the remote display.

In a further embodiment, the base unit 110 can support an applicationprogram interface (API) that allows user as well as third parties todevelop and support their own ultrasound applications. For example, theAPI can allow a third party to create and offer a teaching tool forinstructing others how to carry out a particular type of ultrasoundscan. Such an application could be available for purchase and/or beoffered as an integrated part of a course curriculum or learning module.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine 580 for powering aportable ultrasound system in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. After the start block, the routine 580 proceeds to enableultrasound scanning. For example, the routine 580 can begin when theuser presses the “Scan” soft button shown in FIG. 3A. Once enabled, thebase-unit 110 can begin to produce ultrasound images corresponding tothe ultrasound information it receives from the transducer electronics240. As discussed above, the user can control the scan at this stage bymodifying various scanning parameters (e.g., gain, scan depth, etc.).The routine 580 then proceeds to decision block 584 to monitor the firstbattery 254.

At decision block 584, the routine detects the charge level of the firstbattery and determines if it below a threshold. For example, thethreshold can correspond to a percentage level of charge (e.g., ˜0%, 1%,5%, or 15% of the remaining charge). In addition or alternately, thethreshold can be based on certain minimum battery lifetime (e.g., 1, 2,or 5 minutes of minimum lifetime). If the charge level is below thecharge storage threshold, the routine 580 proceeds to block 586,otherwise the routine 580 returns to block 582 to continue ultrasoundscanning.

At block 586, once the routine detects that the first battery is belowthe threshold, the routine suspends live scanning. For example, theprocessor can send a signal to the transducer electronics 230 to enter astandby state (e.g., a power conservation state) or to shut down. Also,as discussed above, the processor can disable certain controls at thetouch screen 114 and/or store data in the memory, such as the ultrasoundscanning parameters selected by the user. In various embodiments, theroutine 580 can automatically suspend live scanning when the firstbattery 254 is below the threshold. In other embodiments, however, theroutine 580 can suspend live scanning by prompting the user to suspendscanning. In cases where the user opts not to suspend scanning, the livescan may continue until the first battery 254 is fully depleted ofcharge.

At block 588, the routine monitors the charge level to detect whetherthe first battery 254 has been charged or replaced. If charge isrestored above the threshold, processing continues to block 590, atwhich point the routine 580 can resume the ultrasound scanning session.For example, the routine 580 can resume the ultrasound scan based on thescanning parameters stored in the memory at block 586. In someembodiments, the routine 580 can control internal connection with thebase unit 110 (e.g., the switch 258) such that the first battery 254replenishes the charge of the second battery 256, as discussed above. Inseveral such embodiments, the first battery 254 can have a substantiallylarger charge capacity such the second battery 256 does not draw asignificant amount of power from the first battery 254 when the secondbattery 256 is being replenished.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thescope of the various embodiments of the disclosure. Moreover, becausemany of the basic structures and functions of transducer arrays,transducer electronics, and other processor electronics are known, theyhave not been shown or described in further detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Further, whilevarious advantages and features associated with certain embodiments ofthe disclosure have been described above in the context of thoseembodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and/orfeatures, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit suchadvantages and/or features to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

1. A method executed by a processor to power a portable ultrasoundsystem, the method comprising: powering base-unit electronics of a baseunit with a first power source; and independently powering transducerelectronics of the base unit with a second power source device toperform ultrasound scanning via the base unit electronics and thetransducer electronics; detecting that the second power source device isat a charge level below a threshold; in response to detecting the chargelevel has fallen below the threshold, temporarily disabling ultrasoundscanning without powering down the base-unit electronics; detecting thatcharge has been restored to a level above the threshold; and in responseto detecting the restored charge level, re-enabling ultrasound scanning.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving user input viathe base-unit electronics; modifying one or more ultrasound scanningparameters based on the user input; in response to detecting the chargelevel has fallen below the threshold, storing the modified scanningparameters in memory; and in response to detecting the restored chargelevel, re-enabling the ultrasound scanning based on the scanningparameters stored in memory.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein theultrasound scanning parameters includes at least one of gain and depth.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising in response to detectingthe restored charge level, providing power from the first power supplydevice to the second power supply device to recharge the first powersupply device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displayingone or more ultrasound images on a display based on information acquiredby the transducer electronics during the ultrasound scanning, andcontinuing to display one or more of the ultrasound images when thefirst power supply device has zero charge.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: displaying one or more ultrasound images on adisplay based on information acquired by the transducer electronicsduring the ultrasound scanning, and continuing to display one or more ofthe ultrasound images while the first power supply device is removedfrom base unit.